i.Can Worldwide, in partnership with information technology and mobile solutions providers Logica and Fronde Anywhere, has created a service that empowers consumers with cashless freedom and convenience in shopping and payment transactions.

The i.Can service covers ordering using the cellular phone, mobile payment and content distribution from various businesses to different consumer and business partner touchpoints. i.Can Worldwide is part of the TAO Community of Companies, whose business is founded on commodities and physical distribution.

“A common belief in mobile commerce brought us together,” said Concepcion Octaviano, chief operating officer, i.Can Worldwide. “We are here to give better service to our customers, not just technology.

If our customers are happy, they become loyal to us.”
Added Gigi Montinolla, president, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). “Each expert is extending their space.”

i.Can is a mobile commerce system that works by linking a consumer directly to his bank account, his credit cards, his favorite shops, restaurants, cinemas, airlines, etc. – all through the mobile phone.

It uses a simple, easy-to-read, menu-based system that is loaded onto your mobile phone. There is no need to type in words or instructions – just move the selector up and down to your choices then click to confirm. i.Can does the rest, for example, if you want to catch the latest blockbuster without waiting in line, just click on the SURESEATS tab on the i.Can menu. Choose the movie you want to see, its schedule, and the Ayala cinemas of your choice. i.Can will deduct the payment from your bank account and tell Sureseats to reserve a seat for you. SURESEATS will then send a confirmation to your mobile phone, which you show upon arrival at the cinema.

If you want to acquire the newest Nokia phone right away, just click on the Memo Express and choose the Nokia phone model you want. i.Can will deduct the payment from your bank and forward your order to Memo Express. Then go to any Memo Express cashier, show your purchase confirmation, and enjoy your new Nokia phones.

B.P.I. EXPRESS MOBILE MALL
In a related development, the Bank of the Philippine Islands has introduced BPI Express Mobile Mall, a service facility under BPI’s 24/7 Banking that gives clients the freedom to use their mobile phones to shop from merchant partners.

“Majority of the country’s population already own mobile phones. Using the available technology, BPI Express Mobile Mall provides the means to make activities like buying clothes or getting a cup of coffee convenient and easy,” said Teresita B. Tan, BPI Senior Vice President and Head of Overseas Banking and Channels Services.

The BPI Express Mobile Mall facility is an applet that can be downloaded into a GPRS-capable mobile phone. Once connected to the Internet – whether via Wifi or GPRS – users can now utilize the applet to leisurely “go shopping” without having to leave their homes. Purchases are immediately debited to the user’s registered BPI account.

Current merchant partners for the BPI Express Mobile include Phillips and Memo Express, the Rustan’s Group of Companies, and Ayala Malls’ SURESEATS.

“The objective of BPI 24/7 Banking is to give clients more freedom through a more convenient and round-the-clock banking service. When you can do banking transactions on the go – anytime, anywhere – you gain time to do other things,” added Tan.

To use the BPI Express Mobile Mall Facility, BPI clients must be Express online users and have GPRS-capable mobile phones. Registration can be done through the Internet and activation of the registration through any BPI ATM kiosks.